Ripple

by Grateful Dead
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How to Play This Song

Learn a simple version, phrase by phrase: the melody, then easy chords.

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Lyrics

If my words did glow

with the gold of (F)sun shine,

and my tunes

were played

on the harp

un strung, would you hear my voice

come through the (F)mu sic?

Would you hold

it not near,

(F)as it were your own?

It’s a hand me down,

the thoughts are (F)bro ken.

Per haps

they’re bet ter

the left un (C)sung.

And I don’t know,

don’t real ly (F)care.

low.

(C)Let there be songs

to fill the air.

(Dm)Rip

ple in

still (G7)wa ter,

when there is no peb ble tossed,

nor (D7)wind to blow.

Reach out your hand

if your cup be (F)emp ty.

If your cup

is full,

may it be

a gain.

Let it hear be known,

there is a (F)foun tain

you hold

was not made

(F)by the hands of men.

There a is a road,

no sim ple (F)high way,

be tween

the dawn ter

the dark of (C)night.

And if you go,

no one may (F)fol low.

(C)That path is for

your steps a lone.

(Dm)Rip

ple in

still (G7)wa ter,

when there is no peb ble tossed,

nor (D7)wind to blow.

Reach out your hand

You who choose

to lead must (F)fol low,

but if

you fall, you fall a lone.

If you should stand,

then who’s to (F)guide you?

(C)If I knew the (G)way,

(F)I would take you (C)home.

La dee da da da,

la da da (F)da da,

da da

da da da da da da.

La da da da,

da da da (F)da da.

(C)Da I da da (G)da,

(F)la da da da (C)home.

La dee da da da, (C)da.

Ripple — Visual Piano Sheet Music

11 people have learned this song

"Ripple" in visual bar notation — see every note as a colored bar on the staff. Easier to read than traditional sheet music. Scrolls automatically as you play. Key of C, 120 BPM.

Tip: Start at 50% speed to get comfortable with the fingering, then work your way up to full tempo.

About “Ripple”

Why does "Ripple" show as colored bars instead of notation?
Bar Notation replaces traditional noteheads with colored horizontal bars on a simplified staff — each bar's vertical position is the pitch and its length is the duration. Much easier to read than classic sheet music while still showing the full arrangement of "Ripple".
What key is "Ripple" by Grateful Dead played in?
Ripple is arranged in the key of C on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "Ripple"?
The arrangement plays at 120 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Ripple" easy to play on piano?
Yes — this is one of our beginner-friendly arrangements with simplified chords and color-coded notes.
Can I download sheet music for "Ripple"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Ripple"?
"Ripple" was originally performed by Grateful Dead. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What other songs by Grateful Dead can I play here?
Try "UNCLE JOHN'S BAND", "THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED", "SUGAR MAGNOLIA". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Is this real sheet music for "Ripple"?
It's a simplified visual notation using colored bars instead of traditional notes. Each bar's vertical position shows the pitch and its length shows duration — much easier to read for beginners while still showing the complete arrangement of "Ripple".
Can I see all the notes in "Ripple"?
Yes! The Bar Sheet shows every note in the arrangement as a colored bar. The sheet scrolls automatically during playback, or you can scroll manually to study any section. The song is in the key of C at 120 BPM.